A health professional who focuses mainly on treating spine conditions is known as a spine specialist. Some common spine specialists include chiropractors, physiatrists, physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, pain management physicians, anesthesiologists, and many rheumatologists and neurologists. Who you choose as the most appropriate type of health care professional — or team of professionals — largely depends on the nature, severity, and duration of your symptoms.
Numerous medical specialties exist for a person with spine pain, and unless you understand the various types, picking out the one (or ones) who can treat you effectively can quickly become overwhelming. When your neck or back pain first starts, your family doctor or GP is probably your best bet.She may prescribe some pain killers, give you a few exercises to do and possibly send you to a physical therapist. If she deems your problem a serious one, she'll likely order diagnostic tests and/or refer you on to a specialist such as a rheumatologist or neurologist.
Research shows that family doctors can be slow to include new back treatments as they come out, according to a 2006 study published in Spine Journal. Other than taking your medical history and giving you a physical exam, which are two staples of spine diagnosis, the study found that even as new recommendations were published by leading medical organization, physicians did not adopt them into their practices. The wide array of back-pain treatment choices can be daunting, suggests Penney Cowan, executive director of the American Chronic Pain Association. "There is no road map that says turn left here and then turn right here," says Cowan.
To find the right type of doctor for you, look for someone who can offer the full range of treatment options for your chronic or back pain. If your doctor is unable or unwilling to offer you further treatment options, ask for a referral to a surgeon or pain management specialist—or, find a specialist in your area now. It is possible that When you research treatment options for your back or chronic pain, your medical team could include some or all of these healthcare professionals: Physical or Occupational Therapist, Primary Care Doctor, Pain Management Specialist, and Surgeon.
Records indicate that there are a growing number of spine physicians specializing in treating spinal disorders, and many have completed additional fellowship training in spine medicine. You should be aware of the fact that no single type of physician treats all types of back pain or neck pain. Whereas some types of pain may respond to manual treatments like chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation or physical therapy, others could respond better to medical treatments like medications, injections, surgery.
Concerning spine care, if the condition is not improving in a few weeks, or especially if you also have radiating arm or leg pain, then a specialist is the only way to go. All spine specialists, both surgical and nonsurgical, spend the majority of their time diagnosing and treating spinal disorders. That wealth of knowledge and experience can only be be beneficial to you as a patient. The right early treatment can lead to a faster, more complete recovery.
Board Certified Primary Care providers are trained to care for you through all stages of life. Focused on building an on-going relationship, they help you stay well, treat you when you are sick and educate you on prevention and wellness to keep you and your family healthy.
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